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(No Model.)

' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. A. CLARKE.

RBVBRSING GEAR FOR STEAM ENGINES. .No. 311,812.

Patented Feb. 3, 1885.

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(No Model.)

W. A. CLARKE.

REVERSING GEAR FOR STEAM ENGINES.

Patented Feb. 3, 1886.

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- EJN TED STATES of applying my invention thereto.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLARD A. CLARKE, OF sT1LLWATER-,"MINN., ASSIGNOR ro THE NORTH:

WESTERN MANUFACTURING AND OAR COMPANY, or sAME PLACE.

REVERSlNG-GEAR FOR STEAM-ENGINES LBPEC'IPICAIION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,812, dated February 3, 1885. V

Application filed December 14. 18:52. No model.)

I all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLARD A. CLARKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stillwater, in the county of Washington and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ReversingGear for Steam-Engines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a sufficient portion of an engine to illustrate the method Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the clutch mechanism, the shaft being shown in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a face view of the eccentric and governorpulley detached. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line as .r, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a slightly modified form. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line y y, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view of the shiftinglever.

The invention relates to improvements in the device for reversing an engine or reversing the direction of rotation ofthe main engineshaft. It relates more especially to improvements in reversing-gear of the class having sockets in the face of the eccentric or in the face of a hub'or collar carried by the eccentric, with which sockets alternately a pin engages, the pin being connected with the shaft by means of a sliding collar which carries it,

and which is connected to said shaft; and it the valve may be effectually regulated.

As shown, there is a crank-wheel, 0, upon the main engine-shaft D.

E is the eccentric, mounted on the main engine-shaft, and related to the valve in any suitable way, and connected therewith by the rod F. The eccentric is loose upon the shaft, and with it is formed or to it is attached the governor-pulley G. In this part G are formed sockets or recesses H, which are adapted to receive and engage with a pin, to be described. These sockets are equidistant from the shaft, but are not diametrically opposite, but are located as shown plainly in Figs. 3, 4t, and 6.

I represents a groove or slot cut in the face of the pulley-concentric with the shaft, and extending from one of the sockets H to the other. Preferably this slot is about three-quarters of an inch wide and half an inch deep. Instead of forming these in the governor-pulley they plate carried by the eccentric.

adjacent to this governor-pulley, flange, hub,

may be formed directly in the face of the cocentric itself, or in the face of a hub-collar or Immediately or collar, G, there is arranged a sliding cupshaped part, consisting of a collar or hub portion, K, and a flange part, K. It carries the pin L, which is rigid relatively to the hub or collar, and projects from it toward the eccentric, and is adapted to engage with one or the other of the sockets or recesses H. The sliding part K K is keyed to the shaft either by an ordinary spline or feather, as shown in Fig. 5, or by means of an expanded disk or hub, as at M, Figs. 2 and 3. In the latter case thepart M is provided with a spline or feather, m, and with set-screws m, by means of which it can be fastened in any proper position.

N represents a coiled spring around the .shaft, one end of which bears against a fixed collar or equivalent device at N, the other end bearing against the sliding part K K. The spring constantly tends to force the part K K toward the eccentric, and therefore to force the pin L int one or the other of the sockets H.

0 represents a forked shipping-lever, the arms of which engage with the sliding part K K by means of a groove, h therein. In an engine having a steanrdome above the boiler, the lever O is bent, and is pivotally connected to a sliding hand -lever, O. The latter is mounted in one or more bearings, as at I, and is provided with a pin or stop, 1), so situated that when a pull is exerted upon the lever O the sliding part K K shall not be drawn too faraway from the eccentric. The part K K should not be drawn so far as to withdraw the end of the-pin from the groove or slot I, and therefore said groove can be utilized to insure that the pin shall instantly engage with the next socket or recess.

In operation, when it is desired to reverse the engine by means of the mechanism described, it is done by pulling upon the lever, which, through the shipping-lever, draws the pin out from the socket H, with which it is engaged, and, after it is withdrawn, the cocentric is held stationary by the friction of the valve upon its seat, and the shaft, together with the sliding part K K and its pin L, continues to revolve until the latter reaches the other socket, which it is caused to enter by ICO reason of the tension of the spring N This results in a reversing of the engine, as will be readily understood.

It will be readilyunderstood by those familiar with this class of mechanism that, by reason of the sockets not being arranged diametrically opposite to each other, and of the groove I being constructed to traverse more than one hundred and eighty degrees of the circle in which the sockets are located, the valve will have a lead in whichever direction the engine may be running, and it will also be seen that by reason of the collar K and its attached pin L being made adjustable upon the crank-shaft this lead can be made greater when the engine is running in one direction than it is when the engine I is running in the opposite direction, which arrangement is very desirable under many circumstances where the work required is greater when the engine is running in one direction than when it is running in the-opposite direction.

I am aware that sockets of this character placed diametrically opposite to each other r have been connected by a circular groove adapted to be traversed by the pin; but a particircular groove connecting the sockets and terminating at the sockets is very important when thesockets are not diametrically opposite to each other.

In the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the part K has preferably inwardly-projecting flanges'or ribs engaging with the rib m,

these parts operating to hold the sliding part.

properly in position relatively to the shaft.

As said above, these parts, however, may be dispensed with without departing entirely from my invention. Thus in Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a sliding part, K K, engaging directly with the eccentric or governor pul ley, the latter being preferably provided with a groove or annular recess, in which is fitted a collar, 6, to hold the eccentric in proper place on the shaft.

I prefer to form the sliding part K K and connect it to the shaft, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This arrangement makes a more comely appearance, covers up entirely the screws m, which are otherwise liable. to catch the governor-belt should it run oft'its pulley,and also shorten the parts, which is a great advantage. It is also preferable to aconnection by feather or key, which it is necessary to fit and adjust with great nicety, in order to set the valve in its proper position.

In both constructions shown, the eccentric is prevented by a stop from longitudinal move- .ment relative to the engine-shaft in the direc tion in which the sliding collar moves when the pin is withdrawn from oneof the sockets in the face of the eccentric.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 the disk or hub M serves as the stop referred to, one face of this hub being in close contact with the face of the eccentric E, (see Fig. 2,) and as the hub is firmly secured to the crankshaft by the set-serews m m, it is apparent that the eccentric cannot slide longitudinally on the crankshaft in the direction in which the sliding collar K K moves when the pin L is withdrawn from one of the sockets H.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the collar G thus serves as a stop, it being firmly attached to the crank-shaft by means of a set-screw, thus preventing any longitudinal movement of the eccentric upon the shaft in the direction in which the collar K is moved when the pin H is withdrawn from the socket.

I do not in this case claim the inventions claimed in either of my Patents Nos. 272,648 or 298,826, both of which were granted upon applications filed as divisions of the applica' tion upon which this patent is issued, my intent being to cover in this case all patentabl'e inventions which are illustrated in either of the above-named earlier patents.

What I claim is 1. In a reversing mechanism for steam-engines, the combination of the following elements, namely: the engine-shaft, the loose eccentric, and the opposing continuously-rotating collar, one of which can slide relatively to the other on the shaft, and of .which one is provided with a pin or projection and the other with seats or recesses to receive the pin,

said recesses being equidistant from the engine-shaft, but not diametrically opposite to each other, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a reversing mechanism for steam-engines, the combination of the following 'elements, namely: the engine-shaft, the loose eccentric, and the opposing continuously-rotating collar, one of which can slide relatively to the other on the shaft, and of which one is provided with the pin or projection and the other with seats or recesses to receive the pin, said recesses being equidistant from the engine-shaft, but not diametrically opposite to each other, and a groove connecting the recesses and traversing the greater part of the circle upon which the recesses are located, substantially as set forth.

3. In a reversing mechanism for steam-engines, the combination of the following elements, namely: theengine-shaft, the loose eccentric, and the opposing continuously-rotating collar, one of which can slide relatively to the other on the shaft, and of which one is provided with a pin or projection and the other with seats or recesses to receivethe pin, said recesses being equidistant from the engine-shaft, but not diametrically opposite to each other, and means whereby the part which carries the pin can be adj ustably connected wit-h the shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses. v

XVILLARD A. CLARKE.

WVitnesses:

POWELL Macy, O. L. EASTON. 

